Hydraulic fill system

ABSTRACT

An agricultural system that includes a hydraulic fluid tank with a conduit. The hydraulic fluid tank receives and stores hydraulic fluid. A hydraulic fill system couples to and facilitates filling of the hydraulic fluid tank. The hydraulic fill system includes an arm that rotates with respect to the hydraulic fluid tank between an extended position and a retracted position. The arm defines a channel. A connector couples to the arm. The connector defines an opening that receives the hydraulic fluid. A flexible conduit rests within the channel. The flexible conduit includes a first end and a second end. The first end couples to the conduit and the second end couples to the connector

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to an agricultural system.

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects ofart that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure,which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed tobe helpful in providing the reader with background information tofacilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, it may be understood that these statements areto be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

Agricultural equipment enables the planting and harvesting of variouscrops. Some of this equipment may be self-propelled such as a harvesterwhile others may be coupled to a tractor and towed across a field. Thesepieces of equipment may have a variety of actuators that use hydraulicpressure to operate. For example, a planter may use hydraulic pressureto facilitate forming trenches in the soil, controlling the amount ofdown pressure on a row unit, and for operating a press wheel to coverthe trench. Other uses of hydraulic pressure may include operatingbrakes, raising/lowering lifts, etc. The hydraulic fluid that powersthese various actuators is typically stored in a hydraulic tank. Whenhydraulic fluid is needed by actuators, it is pressurized and driven bya pump through hydraulic lines to the actuators. Overtime the hydraulicfluid in the tank may be replenished or replaced. Unfortunately,accessing and depositing hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic tank may becumbersome.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment, an agricultural system that includes a hydraulicfluid tank with a conduit. The hydraulic fluid tank receives and storeshydraulic fluid. A hydraulic fill system couples to and facilitatesfilling of the hydraulic fluid tank. The hydraulic fill system includesan arm that rotates with respect to the hydraulic fluid tank between anextended position and a retracted position. The arm defines a channel. Aconnector couples to the arm. The connector defines an opening thatreceives the hydraulic fluid. A flexible conduit rests within thechannel. The flexible conduit includes a first end and a second end. Thefirst end couples to the conduit and the second end couples to theconnector

In another embodiment, an agricultural system that includes a hydraulicfill system that couples to and facilitates filling of a hydraulic fluidtank. The hydraulic fill system includes an arm that rotates withrespect to the hydraulic fluid tank between an extended position and aretracted position. The arm defines a channel. A connector couples tothe arm. The connector defines an opening that receives hydraulic fluid.A flexible conduit rests within the channel. The flexible conduitdefines a first end and a second end. The first end couples to a conduitand the second end to the connector.

In another embodiment, a work vehicle including a hydraulic fluid tankwith a conduit. The hydraulic fluid tank receives and stores hydraulicfluid. A hydraulic fill system couples to and facilitates filling of thehydraulic fluid tank. The hydraulic fill system includes an arm thatrotates with respect to the hydraulic fluid tank between an extendedposition and a retracted position. The arm defines a channel. Aconnector couples to the arm. The connector defines an opening thatreceives hydraulic fluid. A flexible conduit rests within the channel.The flexible conduit defines a first end and a second end. The first endcouples to the conduit and the second end couples to the connector.

DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become better understood when the following detaileddescription is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in whichlike characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a work vehicle with ahydraulic fill system;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the hydraulic fillsystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the hydraulic fillsystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the hydraulic fillsystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective exploded view of an embodiment of thehydraulic fill system;

FIG. 6 is a side view of an embodiment of a hydraulic fill system; and

FIG. 7 is a side view of an embodiment of a hydraulic fill system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed below. These described embodiments are only exemplary of thepresent disclosure. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concisedescription of these exemplary embodiments, all features of an actualimplementation may not be described in the specification. It should beappreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation,as in any engineering or design project, numerousimplementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve thedevelopers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation toanother. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a developmenteffort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be aroutine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those ofordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

When introducing elements of various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended tomean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,”“including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean thatthere may be additional elements other than the listed elements.Moreover, the use of “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” and variationsof these terms is made for convenience, but does not require anyparticular orientation of the components.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a work vehicle 10 witha hydraulic fill system 12. As illustrated, the work vehicle 10 may be atractor; however, in other embodiments the work vehicle may be truck,harvester, or another type of agricultural vehicle. The work vehicle 10includes a cab 14 supported by a chassis 16. The chassis 16 may alsosupport a motor 18 (e.g., diesel engine, etc.), a brake system 20, asteering control system 22, a hydraulic system 24, among othercomponents (e.g., an electrical system, a cooling system, etc.) thatfacilitate operation of the work vehicle 10.

During operation, the motor 18 provides power that drives wheels 26. Themotor 18 may also provide power to the hydraulic system 24. For example,the hydraulic system 24 may include pump(s), valves, a reservoir, etc.In operation, the motor 18 provides power to a pump(s), which generateshydraulic pressure with the hydraulic fluid stored in the reservoir. Thehydraulic fluid may then be directed using a series of valves to drivevarious systems on the work vehicle 10. These systems may include thebrake system 20, the steering system 22, a lift, among others. Thehydraulic pressure may also be used to operate equipment coupled to thework vehicle 10. In order to transfer pressurized hydraulic fluid fromthe work vehicle 10, the work vehicle 10 may include one or morehydraulic fluid connectors 28 that couple the hydraulic system 24 toother equipment. For example, the connectors 28 may enable pressurizedhydraulic fluid to flow from the hydraulic system 24 to an agriculturalimplement coupled to the work vehicle 10, such as a planter. Inoperation, the planter uses the pressurized hydraulic fluid to drivevarious actuators to control down pressure on row units, depth oftrenchs, the degree of soil packing, etc. Other agricultural implementsmay use the pressurized hydraulic fluid to perform different operations,such as harvesting.

The hydraulic system 24 includes a hydraulic tank 30 that storeshydraulic fluid used by the hydraulic system 24 to control or operatevarious systems on the work vehicle 10. Periodically, the tank 30 may berefilled, such as when the hydraulic fluid is drained and then refilled.To facilitate filling the tank 30, the work vehicle 10 includes thehydraulic fill system 12. The hydraulic fill system 12 facilitatesaccess to the tank 30, which may enable controlled filling of the tank30. After using the hydraulic fill system 12, the hydraulic fill system12 is stored on the work vehicle 10 and out of the way of otherequipment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the hydraulic fillsystem 12 of FIG. 1. The hydraulic fill system 12 includes an arm 50with first, second, and third walls 52, 54, and 55 that form a channel56. The arm 50 couples to the work vehicle 10 with first and secondconnectors 58 and 60. The first connector 58 couples the first wall 52to a first flange 62, and the second connector 60 couples the secondwall 54 to a second flange 64. The first and second flanges 62 and 64couple to the work vehicle 10 (e.g., tank 30) enabling the hydraulicfill system 12 to couple to the work vehicle 10. The first and secondconnectors 58 and 60 enable the arm 50 to rotate between extended andretracted positions. That is, as the arm 50 rotates in direction 65 ittransitions to a retracted position, and as the arm 50 rotates indirection 66 it transitions to an extended position. The arm 50 rotatesin direction 66 until the third wall 55 contacts a conduit 68 thatextends from surface 70. In some embodiments, a third flange 72 maycouple to the first and second flanges 62, 64. In embodiments includingthe third flange 72, the arm 50 rotates until it contacts the thirdflange 72.

The channel 56 formed by the first, second, third walls 52, 54, and 55receives a flexible conduit 74. The flexible conduit 74 may be made outof a variety of materials including a rubber, a polymer(s), or acombination thereof. The flexible conduit 74 couples to the conduit 68(e.g., rigid conduit) enabling the hydraulic fluid to be poured throughthe flexible conduit 74, the conduit 68, and into the tank 30. Couplingthe flexible conduit 74 to the rigid conduit 68 enables the arm 50 torotate between the extended and retracted positions. In someembodiments, the arm 50 may rotate between 10-50 degrees with respect tothe surface 70 in order to block the flexible conduit 74 from kinking.

As illustrated, the flexible conduit 74 extends between the conduit 68and a connector 76 with a first end 78 coupling to the conduit 68 andthe second end 80 coupling to the connector 76. For example, the firstend 78 may extend over a portion of the conduit 68 and the second end 80may extend over a portion of the connector 76. To secure the conduit 68in place, ring bands 82 and 84 may be used. As illustrated, the ringband 84 wraps around the flexible conduit 74 and the conduit 68 securingthe flexible conduit 74 to the conduit 68. The ring band 82 may alsofacilitate formation and maintenance of a fluid tight seal between theflexible conduit 74 and the conduit 68 as the arm 50 moves betweenextended and retracted positions.

As will be explained below, the hydraulic fill system 12 includes aretention bracket or flange 86 that couples to the arm 50. The bracket86 defines a notch 88 that enables the arm 50 to couple to the workvehicle 10 in a retracted position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the hydraulic fillsystem 12 of FIG. 1 in an extended position. In this position, thehydraulic fill system facilitates access to and enables hydraulic fluidto be poured into the tank 30. More specifically, an operator is easilyable to access the lid 120. Removal of the lid 120 provides access tothe opening 122 in the connector 76. Hydraulic fluid may then be pouredinto the connector 76, which then passes through the flexible conduit 74to the tank 30. Thus, by including the flexible conduit 74 supported bythe arm 50, hydraulic fluid may be poured into the tank 30 at aconvenient position away from the work vehicle 10. In other words, thehydraulic fill system 12 extends the opening (e.g., opening in conduit68) further away from the work vehicle 10 so that other equipment on thework vehicle 10 (e.g., steps, hoses, bars) is less able to interferewith the transfer of hydraulic fluid to the tank 30.

In order to secure the hydraulic fill system 12 in a retracted position,the hydraulic fill system 12 includes a retention system 124. Theretention system 124 includes the bracket 86 and a fastener 126. Thebracket 86 couples to the arm 50. In some embodiments, the bracket 86may be coupled (e.g., welded, made out one-piece) to the second andthird walls 54, 55. By coupling to both the second and third walls 54,55; the bracket 86 may be securely coupled to the arm 50 duringoperation of the work vehicle 10.

As explained above, the bracket 86 includes the notch 88. The notch 88is configured to receive the fastener 126. The fastener 126 couples tothe work vehicle 10 and includes an enlarged portion 128 (e.g., ball)coupled to a shaft 130. The fastener 126 includes a flexible materialthat enables the shaft 130 to be stretched and to contract. When coupledto the bracket 86, the shaft 130 is stretched as the operator pulls. Theenlarged portion 128 is then placed into contact with the notch 88 on aside 132 of the bracket 86 facing away from the fastener 126, asillustrated in FIG. 4. When the operator releases the fastener 126, theshaft 130 contracts and applies a force on the arm 50, which reduces orblocks rotation of the arm 50. To facilitate stretching of the shaft 130when coupling to the bracket 86, the fastener 126 may include prongs 132that enable the operator to grab and pull the fastener 126.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the hydraulic fillsystem 12 in a retracted position. In the retracted position, thehydraulic fill system 12 may be less accessible and therefore lesssusceptible to contact with the operator and to other equipment. Inorder to release the hydraulic fill system 12 and access the tank 30,the operator grabs the prongs 132 and pulls. As the operator pulls, theshaft 130 stretches enabling the enlarged portion 128 of the fastener126 to be moved out of the notch 88. In some embodiments, the secondwall 54 of the arm 50 may define a recess or cutout 136 to facilitateaccess to and uncoupling of the fastener 126 from the arm 50.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective exploded view of an embodiment of thehydraulic fill system 12. As illustrated, the arm 50 may define anaperture 150 in the third wall 55. The aperture 150 receives aprotrusion 152 on the bracket 86. The aperture 150 and protrusion 152may facilitate alignment and coupling of the bracket 86 with the arm 50during manufacturing. In some embodiments, after placing the protrusion152 in the aperture 150, the bracket 86 is welded to the arm 50 orotherwise secured to the arm 50 (e.g., brazed, glued).

FIG. 6 is a side view of an embodiment of a hydraulic fill system 170.In FIG. 6, the hydraulic fill system 170 includes a plurality oftelescoping cylinders 172 (e.g., concentric cylinders) that couple tothe tank 30. The telescoping cylinders 172 telescope enabling thehydraulic fill system 170 to extend away from the tank 30 in direction174 to facilitate filling of the tank 30. After filling the tank 30, thetelescoping cylinders 172 may be collapsed in direction 176 and movedout of the way.

FIG. 7 is a side view of an embodiment of a hydraulic fill system 190.The hydraulic fill system 190 includes a conduit 192 that couples to thetank 30 to facilitate the flow of hydraulic fluid from a source to thetank 30. The conduit 192 couples to the tank 30 with a bonnet 194. Thebonnet 194 enables sealing of the conduit 192 with the tank 30 andretention of the conduit 192 relative to an aperture 196 in a wall ofthe tank 30. More specifically, the bonnet 194 captures a ledge 198 ofthe conduit 192 between the bonnet 194 and the tank 30. The bonnet 194also enables the conduit 192 to be rotated between a fill position and astowed position. Accordingly, when the tank 30 needs fluid, the conduit192 is rotated to a fill position and once filled rotated out of the wayto a stowed position illustrated in dashed lines 200.

While the embodiments disclosed herein may be susceptible to variousmodifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have beenshown by way of example in the drawings and have been described indetail herein. However, it should be understood that the disclosure isnot intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather,the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure asdefined by the following appended claims.

1. An agricultural system, comprising: a hydraulic fluid tank comprisinga conduit, wherein the hydraulic fluid tank is configured to receive andstore hydraulic fluid; a hydraulic fill system configured to couple toand facilitate filling of the hydraulic fluid tank, the hydraulic fillsystem comprising: an arm configured to rotate with respect to thehydraulic fluid tank between an extended position and a retractedposition, the arm defining a channel; a connector coupled to the arm,wherein the connector defines an opening configured to receive hydraulicfluid; and a flexible conduit within the channel, the flexible conduitdefining a first end and a second end, wherein the first end couples tothe conduit and the second end couples to the connector.
 2. The systemof claim 1, comprising a retention system configured to secure the armin the retracted position.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein theretention system comprises a bracket coupled to the arm, the bracketdefining a notch.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the retention systemcomprises a fastener configured to couple to the bracket to block orreduce rotation of the arm.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the armcomprises a wall, wherein the wall defines a recess that provides accessto the fastener.
 6. The system of claim 1, comprising first and secondflanges coupled to the hydraulic fluid tank, and wherein the arm couplesto the first and second flanges with a first connector and a secondconnector.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the arm is configured torotate between 10 and 50 degrees.
 8. The system of claim 1, comprising afirst ring band and a second ring band, wherein the first ring bandcouples the flexible conduit to the conduit, and the second ring bandcouples the flexible conduit to the connector.
 9. The system of claim 1,wherein the flexible conduit has a first stiffness and the conduit has asecond stiffness, wherein the first stiffness is less than the secondstiffness.
 10. The system of claim 1, comprising a work vehicle with thehydraulic fluid tank and the hydraulic fill system.
 11. An agriculturalsystem, comprising: a hydraulic fill system configured to couple to andfacilitate filling of a hydraulic fluid tank, the hydraulic fill systemcomprising: an arm configured to rotate with respect to the hydraulicfluid tank between an extended position and a retracted position, thearm defining a channel; a connector coupled to the arm, wherein theconnector defines an opening configured to receive hydraulic fluid; anda flexible conduit within the channel, the flexible conduit defining afirst end and a second end, wherein the first end is configured tocouple to a conduit and the second end to the connector.
 12. The systemof claim 11, comprising the hydraulic fluid tank.
 13. The system ofclaim 11, comprising a retention system configured to secure the arm inthe retracted position.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein theretention system comprises a bracket coupled to the arm, the bracketdefining a notch.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the retentionsystem comprises a fastener configured to couple to the bracket to blockor reduce rotation of the arm.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein thearm comprises a wall, wherein the wall defines a recess that providesaccess to the fastener.
 17. The system of claim 11, wherein the arm isconfigured to rotate between 10 and 50 degrees.
 18. The system of claim11, wherein the flexible conduit has a first stiffness and the conduithas a second stiffness, wherein the first stiffness is less than thesecond stiffness.
 19. The system of claim 11, comprising first andsecond flanges coupled to the hydraulic fluid tank, and wherein the armcouples to the first and second flanges with a first connector and asecond connector.
 20. A work vehicle comprising, comprising: a hydraulicfluid tank comprising a conduit, wherein the hydraulic fluid tank isconfigured to receive and store hydraulic fluid; a hydraulic fill systemconfigured to couple to and facilitate filling of the hydraulic fluidtank, the hydraulic fill system comprising: an arm configured to rotatewith respect to the hydraulic fluid tank between an extended positionand a retracted position, the arm defining a channel; a connectorcoupled to the arm, wherein the connector defines an opening configuredto receive hydraulic fluid; and a flexible conduit within the channel,the flexible conduit defining a first end and a second end, wherein thefirst end couples to the conduit and the second end couples to theconnector.